The IK1ZYW Interactive Frequency Reader for FT-817 is a wired device meant to repeat part of the display content far away from the radio. An included keypad provides the operator a way to interact with the transceiver. The firmware also features the ability to do some math and show the output frequency to simplify life to microwave transverter users.

All operations occur through the 16-key keyboard with feedback on the 2x16 LCD display.

This device is based on an Atmel ATmega168 (or ATmega88, ATmega328) microcontroller and a HD44780 2x16 LCD display. Power supply can be taken from the FT-817 ACC port, so that only one cable is required to make the display work.

Two operational states have been developed: Normal and Config mode. Normal mode is when the I.F.R. is being used as a remote control for FT-817.

In Config mode the I.F.R. owner can set some operational parameters of the device itself (not of FT-817) like the CAT baud rate, activate the transverter math mode and frequency dial shortcuts, and so on. These settings are stored in I.F.R. EEPROM so that they will be remembered after power-off.

This is a summary of current features:

• 4800/9600/38400 baud communication with FT-817 (configurable)
• works with FT-817, FT-857, FT-897 and their D/ND versions
• "config" and "normal" operation modes
• keypad user interaction
• direct frequency dial, including direct microwave frequency dial
• configurable direct frequency dial shortcuts (only some digits)
• VFO A/B toggle
• VFO A=B or RIT ON/OFF
• mode change
• 15 onboard frequency/mode memories stored in EEPROM
• 2 LO values stored in EEPROM
• LO value down to 100 Hz
• frequency readout ranges from 0 to 214'748'364'700 Hz (that's 214.7 GHz)
• VFO/output frequency computed to 100 Hz resolution
• support for both Out=LO+IF and Out=LO-IF stored in EEPROM
• configurable update delay in 100ms steps stored in EEPROM

Custom firmware for special needs can be studied and developed on request.

I.F.R. user's manual (contains the circuit diagram) and a working firmware can be downloaded for free, so that you can reproduce this device at your home.

Please watch out my blog for quick updates on this project.